I grew up in NC one of the tobacco belt states. Cigarettes were always cheaper there than places like NY or CA. When I moved to TN back in '74 cigarettes were more expensive so when I went home I'd always pick up several cartons to bring back. That all changed as time went on and pretty soon they were as expensive there as here. I doubt I could afford to smoke today if I lived in NY or CA. At $35-45/carton that's expensive enough-especially when you started out paying about $2 a carton!